Cranberry Winter

by Ruth P. Watson

  I told Mrs. Hall about what I had experienced. She said, “You worry about yourself; don’t worry about Simon. He can take care of himself.”

  She didn’t seem surprised at all about what I told her Nadine had said. Mr. Hall listened in his high-back wooden rocking chair as I told my story. He didn’t say anything, yet when I said children, he grunted.

  “Mr. Hall, did you know they were Simon’s children?”

  He hesitated and then answered, “I wouldn’t pay too much attention to what folks say. I would talk to Simon. Some things are better dealt with in private.”

  He was right. I felt the same way.

  Mrs. Hall cut her eyes his way. “We are her family. She don’t have nobody else to turn to. Now you and me need to help her deal with all of this.”

  “The best thing we can do is care for Robert. He is the innocent one in all of this,” Mr. Hall said.

  I peered at him. “I didn’t do anything, Mr. Hall.”

  “Oh, Child, I didn’t mean it in a bad way. It’s just that Robert didn’t ask for it, but he is in the middle of a family crisis.”

  “I don’t understand,” I said.

  “Your son needs a father. There are things a woman cannot do for a boy child. After all of this, things are bound to be different.”

  I felt Mr. Hall was taking up for Simon in a way. He still believed Simon and I would be together.

  “We will cross that bridge if we have to,” Mrs. Hall commented.

  “What should I do, Mrs. Hall?” I inquired, rubbing my forehead because I had a dull headache.

  “You should continue with your schooling.”

  “What about Simon?” I asked her, but she just shook her head.

  “You need to do something to get your mind off of things. Stop by and get Hester and y’all go and listen to good jazz sounds tonight,” Mrs. Hall said. “I can remember when we were young and making decisions about our relationship, I would always go to a little tea room around the corner and listen to the band play. Music has its way with the blues.”

  I smiled. “Robert is always here. He barely knows me.”

  “He knows you. He is just more familiar with us,” Mr. Hall said.

  Mrs. Hall got up from the davenport and walked over to her husband. She rubbed his shoulders. “We love having a child in the house.”

  Mr. Hall looked back at her and smiled. I knew Robert was in good hands, and now I could tell by their reactions how much they loved him.

  When I got up to leave, Mrs. Hall pulled me close against her bosom and hugged me as if I was her child. It was the best feeling to me, so I laid my head in her arms and the tears slid uncontrollably down my cheeks.

  “Go on upstairs and get dressed. Go out and have a good time. Remember this event will be history soon.”

  I shook my head. I kissed Robert goodbye as he was playing on the floor. I saw Nadine as I was walking back up the stairs to my apartment. I threw my head up in the air, and inhaled to keep calm. I went into my house and peeped out the window. She was standing on her porch gazing over at my house. After a minute, she turned and went into the house.

  I had listened to the Halls, yet I still found myself angry and hurt. When I glanced over at Nadine’s house, I was tempted to go over there again, get in her face and make her feel like the slut she was, but I couldn’t. All I could think about were the times she had come to my house begging for sugar or butter just because she wanted to be in the company of my husband. Now she claimed her children are Simon’s. I didn’t see the resemblance, but I never paid any attention to them.

  Chapter 20

  Hester was glad to go along with me to the club. She was starting to enjoy the city life and the activity at the club. She had said a mouthful. “If I see Simon, I am going to say a few words to him myself. He ought to be ashamed of himself; no wonder he didn’t come home. Nadine ain’t nothing but a floozy. I’ll bet those kids don’t belong to Simon. She probably doesn’t know who the daddy is.”

  “I’m so tired thinking about it,” I said, standing in the line to enter the club.

  “Did you see his car when we walked up?”

  I looked around. “I don’t know where he is. His vehicle is not around here. You know I believe he cares more about that Model T than me.”

  “Maybe he really is gone to play ball this time.”

  “I can’t believe a word he says these days,” I said, peering around, hoping Simon would walk up at any time.

  “I’ll bet your brothers would be shocked to learn about him. I know John would be in his face.”

  “I don’t want them to know.”

  “I don’t understand why you are protecting him. He didn’t think enough of you to tell you the truth. I just can’t believe the children story.”

  “I believe her. Her little girl told me.”

  Hester sighed. “It is a shame when a child has more sense than an adult.”

  “The little girl was determined to tell me. She would not leave the room.”

  “Carrie, we’ve been friends for a long time. I am so sorry for the things you’ve had to go through. I just hope now you can move forward without all the unnecessary mess.”

  “Keep your voice down,” I whispered. “I don’t want any of these people in my business. You know how fast gossip travels.”

  “They don’t know you,” she whispered back in my ear.

  “I know. I don’t want them to staring at me. I must be the biggest fool in Jackson Heights.”

  “I doubt it. Nadine is the biggest fool. She is living across the street from her children’s daddy and secretly wanting to take your place. Now, that is crazy. I’ve heard it all.”

  I glanced over at her. “What am I going to do?”

  “We’re going in here tonight and listen to the sounds and try to be happy. We can pray about the rest of it later. If Simon comes in here tonight, just ignore him. I have something I want to say to him.”

  “Hester, I’m scared.”

  “Oh, this will pass soon enough.”

  When the door to the club opened, everybody seemed to come alive. I wish there was another club around where people hung out. I wasn’t sure if I could handle seeing Nadine or Simon. Mrs. Hall said music could heal me, so I went into the club expecting to feel good.

  It was the first time I’d been to the club and didn’t see Mrs. Maggie Walker and her companion sitting front and center. She had reserved seating. Someone else was sitting at her table. The seats filled up fast. And, to my surprise, Adam Murphy was there. He spotted me from across the floor and came over to the table in the middle of the floor where Hester and I were seated.

  “Hi, Carrie; it’s nice seeing you here.” He reached over to shake Hester’s hand. “And, Hester, it is nice to see you again too.” His politeness was one of his most admirable traits. He knew what it meant to care.

  “Hi,” I said.

  He pulled out a chair. “I will only be here a minute,” he explained, looking at Hester as if she was the one to get approval from.

  “Stay for a while,” Hester said.

  “No, I’m here with a friend from school. We needed a break.”

  “I thought you were still in Petersburg,” I said.

  “I came home today, and will be going back on the first train Monday morning.”

  “Me too.”

  “It’s not so bad down in Petersburg. The school is good for me and I love the slower pace.”

  People were coming in the door like they did the night Bessie Smith was in town. The white man Ms. Pearl was always with was seated at the bar. He appeared to be watching everybody entering the club, like he was sizing them up. He glanced up whenever someone walked through the door. And I noticed how he peered directly in their faces. He’d then take a sip from his glass and glance around the room. Something was up. Maybe Ms. Bessie was back in town.

  I was also sizing up the crowd. My eyes were fixated on the door, watching to see if any famous people were entering the club
. The crowd seemed jovial and active. I was determined to enjoy myself, even though I couldn’t get Nadine and Simon off my mind. Now I finally had Adam’s full attention, but it was not him I was concerned about.

  “You seem to be someplace else, Carrie,” Adam said, peering across the table at me with his dark eyes.

  “It’s the crowd. I guess I’m a little overwhelmed,” I lied.

  He got up. “Well, it’s nice seeing you, Carrie,” he said, and walked away.

  “I don’t understand how you can be so hung up on Simon when you have a friend like Adam,” Hester said, shaking her head.

  “I’m not hung up on him; he is my husband. Adam is a wonderful man, but I want to be sure before I give in to him.”

  “Don’t take too long. The women are noticing him as we speak.”

  I glanced across the room at Adam, and two beautiful ladies were standing in front of the table where he was seated talking, smiling and flirting.

  “They are smiling like Cheshire cats. Things couldn’t be that good,” I commented.

  “You sound like you’re jealous,” Hester said, grinning.

  “I’m not jealous. I just think he needs a special type of friend.”

  “One like you…”

  “Hester, I’m trying to deal with Simon. We are supposed to be enjoying the music.”

  “I’m having a good time watching the sights. Have you noticed how the white man at the bar is looking at everybody coming through the door?” Hester asked.

  “There is something strange going on. I just hope nobody will get hurt,” I said, looking around making sure we were safe.

  “What do you mean?”

  “He is the same man who pulled the gun on Willie and shot him. I really believe he is some sort of gangster. He is always around Ms. Pearl and the rumor is, he owns this club, right in the heart of a colored neighborhood.”

  “He may be Ms. Pearl’s manager. Big-time singers always have someone to look over their business, to make sure they are treated right,” Hester said.

  “Maybe he is that to her. I came to see Simon one day and he was in the back room with Ms. Pearl and that man,” I whispered. “They had money on the table.”

  “Did you ask Simon who the white man is?” Hester asked.

  “No, but I could tell he was the man in charge. It was the way he acted; I knew he was running things.”

  “It’s a lot of people in here,” Hester said, looking around at all the people in the building. Most of the men seemed to hang around the bar, and the women were all seated. The men were dressed in suits and hats and the women had on low-waist chiffon dresses of all colors, silk stockings and lots of face powder and rouge on their cheeks. The table lanterns reflected the shadows on the walls. People appeared to be everywhere. The bartender was busy. He was an occasional waiter and server as well. He did it all. The phonograph was playing music, although most people were talking. A few sat at their tables bouncing their heads back and forth. It was a lively place.

  “I’m enjoying myself,” Hester leaned over and said.

  “Me too, I guess,” I answered.

  I peered over to the other side of the room at Adam and he was staring straight at me. I waved at him. He nodded his head, and to my surprise, threw me a kiss. I quickly turned my head to make sure no one was looking at us. Everybody was having their own private conversations. No one seemed to notice me.

  “Did he just throw you a kiss?” Hester asked, smiling from ear to ear.

  “I’m not paying him any attention,” I replied.

  “You are, and I’ll bet you have forgotten about Simon already.”

  I smiled and playfully rolled my eyes at her comments. We glanced at one another and broke out laughing. There was a lot going on; everyone had some action of their own. The ladies at the table in front of us were joined by two handsome men. Now they were giggling and one of the men had his arm around the shoulder of the lady in the blue dress. The men at the bar had drinks in their hands. A couple of them had cigars in between their fingers. And, in the back of the room was a couple embracing and kissing as if they were at home in private. We were not the only people staring at them. After a while, the white man walked over to them and they immediately let go of each other and found a seat.

  “When do you think Ms. Pearl is going to come out?”

  “Once everybody is settled, she’ll come in and all attention will turn to her. That’s what always happens,” I said, tapping my fingers on the table.

  Hester shook her head. “I think the two of us are stealing the attention. Take a look at the two fellows in the corner; they have been watching us ever since they came in the door. And one of them is sort of cute.”

  I glanced over at the two men. “I hope they don’t come over here.”

  “Why can’t you loosen up and have a little fun? Simon is nowhere to be found.”

  “I don’t want to think about him. I just want to let the music heal me,” I said.

  Hester rolled her eyes.

  Before I could say another word, Ms. Pearl came from the back room and strolled slowly to the stage. Along the way, she stopped several times to greet some of the patrons. She was dressed in a beautiful lavender dress, which fit her like a glove. She seemed to roll her hips with each stride she took. Men and women alike admired her. The women whispered about her fashionable dress and the men studied her body as if it were on display solely for them.

  Her band came out and made it to the stage before Ms. Pearl was halfway through the crowd. It was so well put together. They grabbed their instruments and serenaded her to the stage. Hester sat with her mouth wide open in total amazement. When Ms. Pearl strolled past my table, she leaned over. “It is nice to see you girls again.” Both of us smiled, and I waved.

  “She spoke to us!” Hester said, still grinning.

  “I know,” I said, waiting for the show to start.

  Just as the music changed for Ms. Pearl, I noticed Kindred across the room. He was staring at Ms. Pearl.

  “Kindred’s here,” I whispered to Hester.

  “I saw him when he followed Ms. Pearl out from the back of the club.”

  Surprisingly, I had not noticed him at all. I suppose my eyes were focused on Ms. Pearl and how she wooed the crowd even before she took the microphone.

  When Ms. Pearl started to sing, the entire crowd broke out in thunderous applause for her. Some of the patrons stood up. I was clapping so hard, the insides of my hands were pink. Hester was having a great time, and was swaying back and forth.

  Kindred Camm was dressed just like his brother. His suit fit him like a glove, as if it was especially made for him. He had on a fedora, like the one the white man had on. He had a drink in his hand and was standing near the bar, leaning on the wall, admiring Ms. Pearl’s performance. Her white friend was also admiring her. He had turned around at the bar and was sitting with his eyes focused on Ms. Pearl.

  “Here, I brought you something to drink.” Adam had two Coca-Colas in his hand. He put one in front of me and the other in front of Hester. He then pulled out a chair and took a seat.

  “Do you girls mind if I sit here for a second?”

  There was something special about Adam. He had the ability to make me feel special, even if it was with a soda pop.

  “Thank you for the drink, Adam,” Hester said before taking a swallow.

  “How did you know I was thirsty?” I said.

  “I know a lot about you. I know the things you tell and the things you don’t say,” he whispered in my ear.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Something is on your mind tonight. I can tell.”

  “I’m okay,” I said.

  “You can’t fool me. If you need anybody to talk to, I’m here for you.”

  Adam was more in tune with my emotions than my husband. It was the thing I liked about him. I loved the way he gazed at me and how he could sense my troubles. I wondered if he was what people called a soulmate.


  I shook my head yes to Adam. He smiled. We both refocused on Ms. Pearl, who was swaying from side to side. She was bellowing out sounds we wanted to hear. She had her head back and eyes closed, but when she opened them, she stared straight at Kindred. He did not move, just grinned and stared back at her. It was like they were connected in some way. The lady at the table in front of us said out loud, “She’s got a thing for him.”

  The white fellow raised out of his seat. He moved through the crowd until he was right beside Kindred.

  “Did you see that?” Hester asked.

  “It looks like they are arguing.”

  Kindred and the man were standing toe to toe. The white man pushed Kindred.

  “Come on, Carrie; it is time to get you out of here,” Adam said, as he pulled me through the crowd toward the door. Hester was right behind me holding my other hand. We didn’t want to get separated. Right before we made it to the door, a scuffle caused people to panic and everyone started to charge forward toward the door. Adam pulled me and I pulled Hester. We made it to the door just as a shot rang out in the club. I turned to look and all I could see was the white man standing with a gun.

  “Don’t look back,” Adam warned us.

  We kept walking until we were at least 200 feet from the club. Another shot was fired. When we turned to look back, there was a man lying on the ground. A lady was bending over him crying out loud, “He was just looking at her!”

  Adam and I walked Hester home first, and then he walked me home. I cried the entire way.

  “You gonna be all right?” Adam asked me.

  “I hope so.”

  Adam stood on my porch and then kissed me on the lips.

  “Remember, I’m here for you,” he said, before walking away. “See you at school.”

  It made me sad to see him leave. I went inside my apartment, got undressed and crawled in the bed. Simon was not home, as usual. It was yet another night I was alone. I couldn’t believe I had witnessed another shooting at the same club. For some reason, I felt it was about Ms. Pearl. Momma had warned me she was trouble.